NGOs Build ESD Network Across Asia

Diverse Representation at the Surabaya Workshop

The Surabaya Workshop on the Asia NGO ESD Network was convened between 1-4 August in Indonesia . It was part of the effort to further discuss the possibility of an Asian ESD network for the civil sector. The idea of such a network was earlier suggested at the Asia Good ESD Practice Research Project, conducted by the Japan Council on the UN Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (ESD-J) in collaboration with NGOs from six Asian countries (China, India, Indonesia, Korea, Nepal and the Philippines).

ESD-J, in association with BINTARI Foundation, the local co-organizer sponsored by the Caterpillar Foundation, organized the Surabaya workshop. Representatives from 7 NGOs from 5 countries participated in the workshop that aimed at generating valuable ideas for ESD contribution to biodiversity conservation. These ideas are meant to be sent as a message for the Tenth Session of the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity ( CBD / COP 10) (Oct. 2010) in Nagoya , Japan to strengthen their cooperation and collaboration with the Asian NGO community working for ESD.

Ramesh Savalia, CEE's representative at the workshop, shared the Indian perspective and CEE's experience of ESD efforts for biodiversity conservation. At the workshop, there was a detailed discussion on ESD and biological diversity conservation, SD and biodiversity, messages for CBD / COP 10, ESD challenges in Asia , expected scope, functions, significance, ownership and governance of the network.

August Activities at CEE's Information Facilitation Centre ( IFC )

Rachana School Visit

The IFC conducted a two-hour session to orient students of Rachna School , Ahmedabad, toward their environment on 5 August 2010 . Over 90 grade VII students and their teachers participated in the nature trail, bird watching, environment-related activities like the Web of Life etc. On the nature trail the students were introduced to various facts of nature like how organisms adapt to their surroundings, how they are linked with and maintain balance in nature. The students were very fascinated with the biodiversity around them. Most of them were surprised to know that once a Bamboo tree flowers the particular bamboo plant dies. They were also introduced to concepts like ecosystems, rainwater harvesting etc.

Enthused by their Environment

Nature Buddies

After a successful one year programme with Eurokids pre-primary school (Vastrapur branch), CEE's IFC has signed a MoU with the school for conducting “ Nature Buddies” activities. This programme offers hands-on learning experiences in the outdoors to pre-primary children.

Natural Buddies

This year CEE will be conducting activities for junior and senior KG kids at Eurokids. Around 130 children will be part of this annual programme.


USIEF Exchange Program Brings US Teachers to CEE

A group of 20 teachers from the USA was in Ahmedabad as part of an exchange program to study and understand educational systems in India . United States India Educational Foundation (USIEF) in Mumbai hosts such programmes every year and this year they hosted this group that came to Ahmedabad between July 12-14, 2010 .

The group that visited historical and cultural sites, also visited CEE to learn about its activities and its approach towards spreading Environment Education. Madhavi Joshi and Mamata Pandya interacted with the group to share environmental education approaches and methodologies that CEE has followed over the years and the educational material developed for school teachers and students. The group engaged in discussions on various adaptation needs based on varied contexts, languages, other such factors in India , and shared their own experiences as teachers in the US . The programme was facilitated by CEE's Information and Facilitation Centre.